Chorusy Sound on E String Above the 12th Fret

[kirkm24]

I just put a brand new set of Fat Beams on my Jazz Bass and above the 12th fret, the E string has a chorusy, dissonant sound to it. I don't remember my last set having this. I checked the tuning of the string and it is spot on and the intonation above the 12th fret is also spot on. Without sounding too stupid, could this be a defective string? If so, do you think DR would replace it or do I need to get a whole new set?

[kirkm24]

I e-mailed DR through their website last night and got a response this morning. They are sending me a new string. Great customer service!

[wingnut]

Yeah, sounds like a bad string...however it could also have been a little too low. If it still does it, try raising the string a bit, happened to me a couple times when going to a thicker string.

[scottbass]

Kudos to DR and their fantastic customer service. The problem you encountered is caused by the winding being loose in a spot - not being wrapped tightly over the core. It is indeed possible you got a defective string - they are handwound, after all. However, it is also possible you damaged the string yourself during installation. You should put a 90 degree bend in the string at the proper location (about 3-1/2" to 4" past the tuning post) before you cut it, then cut it about 3/4" past the bend so the short bent end fits down into the hole in the post correctly. Also, do not wrap the string around the stationary post by hand. Start with no winds on the post and then take up the slack by turning the tuning key to create the wraps. Following these techniques will minimize the possibility of the windings loosening up on the core and creating the chorus-like sound.

[Fajah]

Sometimes this can happen if you hand wind the string around the peg first which causes it to twist torsionally. I had this happen to me and by removing the string and re-tightening it by just winding the tuner fixed the issue.

[John Wentzien]

This can happen if the pickup is too close to the string also.

[kirkm24]

Originally Posted by scottbass

Kudos to DR and their fantastic customer service. The problem you encountered is caused by the winding being loose in a spot - not being wrapped tightly over the core. It is indeed possible you got a defective string - they are handwound, after all. However, it is also possible you damaged the string yourself during installation. You should put a 90 degree bend in the string at the proper location (about 3-1/2" to 4" past the tuning post) before you cut it, then cut it about 3/4" past the bend so the short bent end fits down into the hole in the post correctly. Also, do not wrap the string around the stationary post by hand. Start with no winds on the post and then take up the slack by turning the tuning key to create the wraps. Following these techniques will minimize the possibility of the windings loosening up on the core and creating the chorus-like sound.

I did cut it as instructed in the packaging. I told DR this as well.

[kirkm24]

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

This can happen if the pickup is too close to the string also.

Even if the problem doesn't exist on the other strings?

[Lync]

Originally Posted by John Wentzien

This can happen if the pickup is too close to the string also.

+1 pretty common. With a 4 string bass you can this on the E or G strings. Try lowering that side of the pickup just a bit.

[kirkm24]

I tried lowering the pickups and I even raised the bridge saddle and the chorus sound is still present. I'm assuming now the string is defective or I installed wrong somehow. DR is sending me a new string so I will just replace it at that time. Thanks for the input!